Learn to play Live Dealer Blackjack: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Everyone has to start somewhere, but playing live dealer blackjack certainly could not be any easier to learn as it is one of the simplest games available to play at an online casino.

Of course, there are a couple of differences between playing blackjack with a live dealer and playing blackjack just online as a simple version, but players will easily be able to identify the main differences as they continue to read this ultimate beginner’s guide as they look to master the game of live dealer blackjack.

What is the difference between the two games?

The first thing to know is the difference between playing online blackjack at an online casino as a simple video game that has been offered and playing live dealer blackjack at a live casino that offers this particular variation of the classic table game.

There are a number of key differences that can be seen as advantages or disadvantages when thinking about how the game is played, with some even going as far to suggest that the game is rigged when played at an online casino without a live dealer present.

Of course, this is not true as developers will not make the game rigged, although they may be in their favour, however with a live dealer being involved, many will feel that the so-called risk of a potential ‘fixed game’ will have been eliminated as they will be able to see everything that is being done.

Other advantages of playing a live dealer blackjack game is that they are convenient and provide a realistic experience that can be felt from anywhere in the world without having to actually be at a physical casino, whilst live dealer blackjack games may also allow the player to choose the dealer that they play against. Naturally, this should not change the gameplay experience but is one that some like to have control over when they play.

However, disadvantages about playing live dealer blackjack instead of playing online blackjack games that are offered by online casinos include things such as the speed of the game, as this can be a little slower at times as the whole process might take a little longer, whilst seating can also be considered a problem at times, especially if the live dealer table is busy.

In addition, some live dealer blackjack games only provide players with the opportunity to place bets of a required limit, whilst a simple online blackjack game may allow them to place wagers of a smaller amount at any time.

Strategies

There are a number of different betting strategies that can be adopted during any game of blackjack, regardless of whether it is a live dealer game or a simple online version.

One of the best blackjack strategies that can be used is the ‘Basic’ strategy that can be followed, which will typically see players ‘Stand’ on any hand that they have been dealt whereby the value of the two cards that they have been provided with totals 17 or more.

In fact, those that have a value of 13 or more when the dealer has a card that is a value of 6 or less should ‘Stand’, whilst those that have those values but the dealer has 7-high or more, then ‘Hitting’ would perhaps be the best way to play. Players who have a hand of less than 13 should consider ‘Hitting’ or even ‘Doubling Down’ when possible.

Other blackjack betting strategies include more aggressive methods, such as card counting (which is not illegal but strongly frowned upon) and the Martingale Strategy (although this can be best suited to those who have a bigger bankroll available to them as it can be costly).

Side bets

There are a number of different side bets that are available to be placed in a blackjack game that can be found at an online casino, with options such as ‘Perfect Pairs’ and ‘21+3’ being amongst the most popular options available.

The ‘Perfect Pairs’ side bet will see players place a bet before being given their hand and wagering that they will receive a pair of cards to start the hand. Three different rewards can be won here, depending on the type of pair with a ‘Perfect Pair’ (same values and suits) rewarding 25:1 as a top prize.

The ‘21+3’ side bet takes ‘Perfect Pairs’ a little further, as it will take into account the two hands the player has been dealt as well as the dealer’s first card. These cards will then be used to try and create the best poker hand possible and can typically reward up to 100:1 of the bet when a suited three-of-a-kind happens!